Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-10-29

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

Among these three tables, the first one illustrates the total population of New York City between 1800 and 2000, where the second and third table broadly describes the change and contribution of the five districts (Manhattan. Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island) of New York City in it's total population, in percentage.

In 18th century, the Manhattan's contribution to the total population of New York City was the highest (76%). Despite the increament of the total population of New York City, the contribution of Manhattan drastically decreased over the two centuries (54% in 1900 and 19% in 2000). But the combined population of other districts put a huge impact in the total population.

A noticable change can be seen between 1900 and 2000. The population of the Manhattan suddenly decreased but the opposite scenerio is reflected from the other disctrics. In 2000, the population dramatically increased to around 4 times that of in 1900.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 5.5

You identify two important trends: Manhattan’s share falls from 76% to 19%, while the other districts’ combined share rises, and you note that Manhattan’s population declines between 1900 and 2000. However, the response does not adequately summarise the full data. It omits the overall city population figures and gives no clear account of the substantial growth in the other districts’ population. The claim that this population increased to “around 4 times” its 1900 level is inaccurate: it rose from about 1.59 million to 6.47 million, or just over four times, but the wording should be tied to the actual figures. Develop a concise overview and support the main comparisons with accurate numbers.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a basic paragraph structure, moving from an introduction to Manhattan’s changing share and then to the contrast between 1900 and 2000. Linking expressions such as “Despite” and “But” help signal contrast. However, the progression is limited: the opening is difficult to follow, and the final paragraph introduces a comparison without clearly identifying the other districts’ population or connecting it to the overall city growth. Some references, including “the opposite scenario,” require the reader to infer what is being compared. Organise the report around an overview followed by clearly grouped comparisons, and use explicit references such as “the combined population of the four other districts.”

Lexical Resource: Band 5.5

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing change, including “contribution,” “decreased,” and “dramatically increased,” and the meaning is generally understandable. However, several choices are imprecise or unnatural in this data-reporting context. “Put a huge impact” does not clearly describe population growth, while “suddenly decreased” suggests an abrupt change that the tables do not establish. There are also noticeable spelling errors, such as “increament,” “noticable,” “scenerio,” and “disctrics,” which reduce accuracy. Aim for precise, neutral terms and check spelling carefully; for example, describe a population as “rose substantially” or “declined,” rather than using dramatic language without evidence.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.5

You attempt a mixture of sentence forms, including a complex opening with “where” and a contrast clause beginning “Despite,” but control is uneven. In the first sentence, “the second and third table broadly describes” has a subject–verb agreement error, and “in it’s total population” uses an incorrect possessive form. The phrase “In 18th century” is missing an article, while “the Manhattan’s contribution” uses an unnecessary article. Sentence boundaries and punctuation also need attention, particularly the full stop inside “Manhattan. Brooklyn.” These errors do not prevent the reader from understanding the main trends, but more reliable agreement, articles, and punctuation would make the report clearer.

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